1
as in wicked
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
the children had been so mischievous that we had to pay the babysitter extra and then clean up the mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naughty
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
punished for their mischievous tricks on the neighbors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
causing or capable of causing harm
mischievous gossip that ruined a good teacher's reputation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mischievous
The new set will let builders assemble the mischievous supernatural messenger and his watchful bird companion.
—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Former keepers who visited on May 13 said the 2-year-old has bonded with surrogate mother Fredrika and developed a playful, mischievous personality.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
His mustache is graying, but his eyes remain mischievous.
—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
But there is a mischievous side to him, one that delights in mixing it up.
—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Former keepers who visited on May 13 said the 2-year-old has bonded with surrogate mother Fredrika and developed a playful, mischievous personality.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
His mustache is graying, but his eyes remain mischievous.
—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
But there is a mischievous side to him, one that delights in mixing it up.
—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischievous
Adjective
-
But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.
-
Because my gut feeling tells me another round of wicked winds this way comes.
Adjective
-
Has Greta eaten or chewed on anything naughty?
-
The play was naughty stuff in 1925, when the show, starring Tallulah Bankhead, got banned.
Adjective
-
Others develop dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms because the autonomic nervous system becomes affected.
-
Sometimes, the streets appear glittering; other times, seedy and dangerous.
Adjective
-
The high-quality dress can be worn all summer long, in playful hues like white and green.
-
Beaded sandals, in particular, strike a balance between statement-making and approachable, offering the same playful energy as the season’s beaded jewelry and bags without requiring a complete wardrobe overhaul.
Adjective
-
Are those still your worst fears?
-
While a higher tracker error is not bad in and of itself, most investors become uncomfortable when their portfolio acts so differently from the index.
Adjective
-
Telegram said its moderation systems remove millions of pieces of harmful content each month, including non-consensual pornography.
-
Developing a negative self-view as a result of these harmful experiences during your formative years is not uncommon.
Adjective
-
His sponsors demand little more from the guy than an impish smile during television ads, and his press conferences for Inter Miami are few and far between.
-
The gulf between their two worlds is wide, and Jude straddles it with wide-ranging intellect and his characteristic impish wit, while also telling a surprisingly heartfelt story about the lengths to which a mother will go for love.
Adjective
-
If an underwriting decision goes against you, ask for the reason; New York's rule, and others like it, were written partly to force insurers to explain adverse decisions rather than shrug at them.
-
These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.
Video
'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine
'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.
Cite this Entry
“Mischievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischievous. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
